The International 2026 Playoffs set as eight remain
The biggest Dota 2 esports spectacle of the year, The International 2026, is well underway, with the Group Stage finishing up this past weekend. We’ve had some upsets already, with last year’s finalists, Xtreme Gaming, getting eliminated, alongside the likes of Team Yandex and Vici Gaming.
This Sunday, the Aegis of Champions will be claimed, as only eight teams remain with a shot at the iconic trophy and their share of the massive, dynamic prize pool.
The Playoffs of The International 2026 take place in front of a passionate crowd at the Oriental Sports Center venue in Shanghai, China. Mark your calendars for 20 to 23 August, and cancel those plans (if you have any).
As is tradition, a double-elimination format is used, with all matches being BO3, except for the Grand Final, which is BO5.
Match schedule for TI 2026 Playoffs
All four opening matches of the Playoffs Stage, aka the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals, take place on Thursday, 20 August 2026. You’ll need ot get up a bit early to watch the first ones. Check out the complete schedule for every Playoffs Stage match of The International 2026 outlined below.
| Date | Time (SAST) | Stage / Round | Format |
| Aug 20 | 04:00 AM | Upper Bracket Quarterfinal 1 (Iron Wing vs. Team Spirit) | BO3 |
| Aug 20 | 07:00 AM | Upper Bracket Quarterfinal 2 (TEAM VISION vs. BoomBoys) | BO3 |
| Aug 20 | 10:00 AM | Upper Bracket Quarterfinal 3 (Team Liquid vs. Team Yandex) | BO3 |
| Aug 20 | 01:00 PM | Upper Bracket Quarterfinal 4 (Nigma Galaxy vs. Team Falcons) | BO3 |
| Aug 21 | 04:00 AM | Lower Bracket Round 1 (Match 1) | BO3 |
| Aug 21 | 07:00 AM | Lower Bracket Round 1 (Match 2) | BO3 |
| Aug 21 | 10:00 AM | Upper Bracket Semifinal 1 | BO3 |
| Aug 21 | 01:00 PM | Upper Bracket Semifinal 2 | BO3 |
| Aug 22 | 04:00 AM | Lower Bracket Quarterfinal 1 | BO3 |
| Aug 22 | 07:00 AM | Lower Bracket Quarterfinal 2 | BO3 |
| Aug 23 | 04:00 AM | Upper Bracket Final | BO3 |
| Aug 23 | 07:00 AM | Lower Bracket Semifinal | BO3 |
| Aug 23 | 09:00 PM | Lower Bracket Final | BO3 |
| Aug 24 | 00:00 AM (Midnight) | Grand Final | BO5 |
Catch all matches of The International 2026 via the official Twitch and YouTube channels. Stay tuned at Esports Central, as we’ll bring you a fresh results report next week, and possibly a highlights video featuring some of the best plays from the Grand Final.
Header image via Valve.
